France Strike: Large Protests Against Saving Plans
France Witnesses Nationwide Protests Against Austerity Measures
France has been gripped by a wave of protests against potential austerity measures, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets in demonstrations across the country. The unrest began in the morning, with blockades at bus depots, transportation hubs, and further education institutions.
The broad trade union coalition organised the strike in response to the previously announced austerity plan, which was met with criticism from various quarters. The unions view the austerity plans as harsh, arguing that workers, retirees, the sick, and people in precarious situations would suffer the most from the cuts.
The new Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, announced that he will not implement the previous austerity plan. Instead, he is currently consulting on a new plan, with details yet to be disclosed. Lecornu stated that he will focus on the demands of trade union representatives in talks he has initiated.
However, little is known about where Lecornu plans to cut in the new austerity plan. One proposal that has been particularly criticised is the suggestion to abolish two public holidays. Dozens of protesters briefly entered the courtyard of the Ministry of the Economy to voice their opposition to the plan.
As of the evening, 309 people had been arrested nationwide, with 134 in police custody, according to Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau. Around 500,000 people participated in demonstrations nationwide by early evening, according to the Ministry of the Interior. This figure is lower than the initially estimated 700,000 to 800,000 participants.
The protesters aim to influence the new austerity plan through their demonstrations and also want to put pressure on Lecornu regarding the new austerity plan. Sébastien Lecornu will receive the unions again in the coming days for further discussions.
It is still unclear who will be the new finance minister responsible for the negotiations on the new austerity plan. After the fall of Finance Minister François Bayrou, Eric Lombard is mentioned as a possible successor involved in financial policy, but no definitive appointment is confirmed. The government led by Bayrou was dismissed on September 8, 2025, and a new appointment is pending amid political uncertainty.
France has the highest debt pile in the Eurozone, at around €3.3 trillion, and the third-highest debt in the EU, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 114%. The protesters are concerned about the impact of the austerity measures on their livelihoods and the economy as a whole. The government and the unions will need to find a compromise that addresses these concerns while ensuring the financial stability of the country.
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